Debating Contest.

"upon my knees, what doth thy speech import."

—Othells.

"You could' ave ' eard a pin drop."

—Old Play.

Subject :—That the British Empire will decline unless a system of compulsory military service is adopted.

For the third time in succession Victoria College has won the Joynt Debating Scroll, and for the third her successful representatives have been men hitherto untried in these contests.

Professor Gilray occupied the chair and briefly outlined the programme to a large audience of students and the general public.

In the first debate of the evening the Auckland representatives were opposed to the elect of Canterbury.

M. H. Hampson (A. U. C.) who led the affirmatives, suffered somewhat from nervousness, and as a result showed too great page 20 evidence of a prepared speech, Despite this drawback, he performed well and was interesting throughout.

He was followed by A. H. Amers (C.C.) whose speech was of little value as a debating effort. He practically no attempt to refute Hampson's arguments, contenting himself with expounding his own side of the case.

W. E. Moore, A. U. C. followed and delivered an excellent speech. He replied in good style to the arguments advanced by Amers, and also found time to considerably improve his own position.

T. E. Currie, C. C. was the last speaker in this debate. His presence and delivery were fine, but his inclinations apparently lay in the direction of oratory rather than debating. Several amusing figures of speech appeared quite irrelevant, and his evident enthusiasm for the rifle on schools led him far astray.

T. M. Haslett, O. U led the affirmative in the second debate. He had good matter, but his delivery was slow that the bell cut him short before he could well develop his arguments.

H. E. Evans, V. C. followed with a sound speech, his presentation of the negative side of the case being exceedingly clear and well arranged. His replies to Haslett's arguments were not as effective as his prepared matter.

E. K. Lomas, O. U. spoke next and kept well to the point under discussion, though the effect of his speech was somewhat marred by monotonous delivery. To the main arguments advanced by Evans he made apt and ready reply.

John Mason, V. C. was the final speaker of the evening. His replies to Lomas were good; his exposition of the points left him by Evans was better, while his telling peroration, receded by some appropriate ironical touches, carried the whole audience with it.

Whilst the judges were considering their verdict, the audience took charge of affairs. College songs and catch calls resounded through the hall, while the Victoria College contingent overcame page 21 their natural modesty sufficiently to render their haka on the platform. Hostilities ceased on the return of the judges.

The Reverend Hewitson announced their verdict, that the Joynt Debating Scroll had been won by Victoria College, to an accompaniments of vigorous applause.